In an initiative announced this week, the Government is inviting members of the Filipino community to join a new Ministerial Consultative Committee.
The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Chris Bowen MP, said the Government is recognising the significant contribution of the Filipino community to Australia by establishing the committee, which opens up a direct line of communication to the Government.
Senator Kate Lundy, Minister for Sport, Multicultural Affairs, added that she hopes it will help foster better people-to-people links between the community and senior Government ministers.
Ed Husic MP, member for Chifley, and Laurie Ferguson MP, member for Werriwa, will be the co-chairs.
It will be made up of 10 members, drawn from Filipino community leaders across Australia. They will meet regularly with the co-chairs and at least twice a year with Ministers Bowen and Lundy.
The Government will also hold an annual forum for the committee to facilitate access to the Prime Minister and other senior Government ministers.
To be a member, candidates must fulfill the following selection criteria:
· Displays strong leadership in the community
· Demonstrates an understanding of issues affecting the community
· Possesses a capacity to inform and consult within the community
· Experience in engaging with and working with government
For more information, please contact Timothy Chandran in Minister Bowen’s office on (02) 6277 7860.
Expressions of interest can also be emailed to [email protected]. Submissions close at 5pm on Friday, 6 July.
Government media release